Los Companeros’ Shiraz Tempranillo 2023 ($26) – Spanish for the companions (I suspect that even those of us with el poco Espanol could have guessed that), these two grapes, Shiraz and Tempranillo, do work wonderfully well together. The team claim it is unique to Pikes and while I'm not quite so sure of that, it is certainly not a common combination. More wines like this and it may become an awful lot more so. The split is 90% Shiraz and 10% Tempranillo. Maturation is for a year and a half in older French oak.
Deep blood red with a russet rim, the nose exhibits notes of plums and cherries, smoked meats, dried herbs, a hint of tomato bush, fennel and coffee grinds. The palate sees the savoury characters of the smoked meats and mushrooms move more to fore. A soft and supple texture through to very fine powdery tannins and a finish that lingers attractively, there is a lot to like here. Enjoy this delicious blend over the next eight years. 93.